Hearth of the Vanir
The Library
Trinity College Library, Dublin
My Own Books:
Boar, Birch and Bog: Prayers to Nerthus
Cover © Ravenari
(Coming Yule 2009) Nerthus is often overlooked among Heathens, and virtually unknown among non-Heathen Pagans, even those who worship and work with the Germanic Gods. Boar, Birch and Bog: Prayers to Nerthus, a new devotional work from Gullinbursti Press by Nicanthiel Hrafnhild, is an attempt to bring this long-forgotten Goddess back into Her rightful place in the hearts and minds of people. This book explores three of Her major facets, and their spheres of influence – Valor, Fertility and Holiness.
Featuring original poetry, tales based on lore and UPG, and rituals for holy days associated with Nerthus, Boar, Birch and Bog: Prayers to Nerthus is sure to inspire renewed devotion to and reflection on Herself, and the lessons She has to teach for modern Heathens and Pagans alike.
Featuring original poetry, tales based on lore and UPG, and rituals for holy days associated with Nerthus, Boar, Birch and Bog: Prayers to Nerthus is sure to inspire renewed devotion to and reflection on Herself, and the lessons She has to teach for modern Heathens and Pagans alike.
Vanic/Vanatru Books:
Visions of Vanaheim
Visions of Vanaheim (Svartesól, Gullinbursti Press, 580 pages) discusses the Vanic side of the Northern Tradition – honoring a race of Gods connected with the fertility of the Earth, from life to death and back again. This book explores the history of the North and the differences between Aesir and Vanir; the Deities known or suspected to be Vanir and those related by marriage or adoption; rites, magic, and devotion in a Vanic practice, and thoughts on the Vanic way from those who live it.
Vanirbok: Tales of the Vanagods
Vanirbok: Tales of the Vanagods (Gullinbursti Press 2009) is a book of mythological re-tellings and new myths from a Vanic perspective. Vanirbok includes “Tears for Oðr”, a different take on the legend of Freya mourning for Oðr and later gaining Brisingamen; “The Mountains and the Sea”, a tale of Njord, Skadhi, and Ullr; “The Gyðja’s Tale”, told from the perspective of Frey’s priestess-wife of the Gunnar Helming Saga; and nine other stories. This book of inspired fiction is sure to entertain and perhaps give a new appreciation for the ways of the Vanir Gods.
Peace and Good Seasons: A Devotional for Ing-Frey
Peace and Good Seasons by Svartesól is a devotional for Ing-Frey, which discusses His importance in antiquity as well as His relevance to today. With advice on how to begin communing with Him, and sample prayers, rituals and devotional practice, this is a great addition to the bookshelf of Freyfolk everywhere.
Spiritwork/Mysticism Books:
American Wights
American Wights (Svartesól, Gullinbursti Press, 32 pages) is a book that deals with the unique problem of reverencing spirits of place in Old World tradition, in the New World.
Wyrdness: Mysticism in Modern Heathenry
Wyrdness: Mysticism in Modern Heathenry (Svartesól, Gullinbursti Press) Heathen mysticism – having out-of-the-ordinary spiritual experiences within a Heathen (Germanic Pagan) context – can be full-blown, frequent, and intensive, or occasional and more subtle. Living with a deep knowledge of and interaction with the unseen can be hard enough, and often the gift of communion with the Holy Ones and ability to make change comes with the price of misunderstanding and difficulty finding and maintaining community.
This book seeks to present mystics with some suggestions on dealing with their own abilities in a healthy and productive manner, and how to meet the challenge of community when one is called to serve. This book also seeks to help promote positive dialogue between mystics and non-mystics, for better understanding on both sides, and hopefully more cooperation.
This book seeks to present mystics with some suggestions on dealing with their own abilities in a healthy and productive manner, and how to meet the challenge of community when one is called to serve. This book also seeks to help promote positive dialogue between mystics and non-mystics, for better understanding on both sides, and hopefully more cooperation.
Walking the Heartroad: The Devotional Path for Spiritworkers
Passionate, loving devotion forms the heart of many spirit-workers' lives though it is a little-discussed element of practice. Walking the Heartroad by Silence Maestas explores the many ways deities and spirits connect with us, and the ways that we reach out to them. The trials of a dedicated life only serve to illustrate the ability of love to overcome all obstacles, defeating sorrow with hope and compassion. The Heartroad is the devotional path of a life of service, a path that is never walked alone.
DIY Totemism: Your Personal Guide to Animal Totems
Are there totems beyond Wolf, Bear, and Eagle? Do you want to discover and deepen your relationships with your totems? From the author of the groundbreaking Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone: A Primal Guide to Animal Magic comes a new work that redefines the modern concept of practical animal totemism.
Join Lupa as she explores totems beyond the Big, Impressive North American Birds and Mammals, how therianthropes may use totemism in conjunction with their therianthropy, and how everyday substances commonly found in food and drink can be used in totemic rituals. Plus you'll learn about how to create the Last Totem Card Deck You'll Ever Need, and ideas for integrating totemism more deeply into your everyday life for the benefit of all involved.
Free from formulaic dictionary entries, streamlined without tons of prefabricated spells and rituals, and full of material based on Lupa's years of experience, DIY Totemism is the ultimate guide to a personal relationship with totem animals.
Join Lupa as she explores totems beyond the Big, Impressive North American Birds and Mammals, how therianthropes may use totemism in conjunction with their therianthropy, and how everyday substances commonly found in food and drink can be used in totemic rituals. Plus you'll learn about how to create the Last Totem Card Deck You'll Ever Need, and ideas for integrating totemism more deeply into your everyday life for the benefit of all involved.
Free from formulaic dictionary entries, streamlined without tons of prefabricated spells and rituals, and full of material based on Lupa's years of experience, DIY Totemism is the ultimate guide to a personal relationship with totem animals.
Trance-portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World
The ability to move from the ordinary into an altered state of consciousness is one of the most valuable skills in both magic and religion. From the ceremonial magician to the shaman, using trance work to explore inner realms is essential to the magical process of healing, transcendence, and wisdom desired throughout diverse occult and spiritual traditions. Trance-portation offers a comprehensive and multi-spirited way to enter the inner realm.
Blending the modern world with the ancient arts, Trance-Portation's 1st three chapters, Travel Planning, Crossing the Threshold, and Getting Started, offer preparatory suggestions including meditations and relaxations, breathing, warding, shifting gears, and returning. Drawing on examples from varied traditions, from Western Mystery to Native American, Ancient Celtic to Eastern Mysticism, and peppered with folk lore and tales from popular science fiction stories, Trance-Portation explores spiritual journey work extensively, offering readers the chance to find their own ways into the inner realm, encounter their own guides and fellow travelers, and create divine relationships with the deities and gods and goddesses that they meet.
Blending the modern world with the ancient arts, Trance-Portation's 1st three chapters, Travel Planning, Crossing the Threshold, and Getting Started, offer preparatory suggestions including meditations and relaxations, breathing, warding, shifting gears, and returning. Drawing on examples from varied traditions, from Western Mystery to Native American, Ancient Celtic to Eastern Mysticism, and peppered with folk lore and tales from popular science fiction stories, Trance-Portation explores spiritual journey work extensively, offering readers the chance to find their own ways into the inner realm, encounter their own guides and fellow travelers, and create divine relationships with the deities and gods and goddesses that they meet.
Nine Worlds of Magic: Ecstasy and Neoshamanism in North European Paganism
This accessible case-study of Northern European shamanistic practice, or seidr, explores the way in which the ancient Norse belief systems evoked in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas have been rediscovered and reinvented by groups in Europe and North America. Drawing on ethnography, religious studies, anthropology and sociology, the book examines the phenomenon of altered consciousness and the interactions of seid-workers or shamanic practitioners with their spirit worlds in historical and political contexts.
Written by a follower of seidr, this study not only investigates, but also addresses those new communities involved in a postmodern quest for spiritual meaning.
Written by a follower of seidr, this study not only investigates, but also addresses those new communities involved in a postmodern quest for spiritual meaning.
Ecstasia: An Introduction to Transcendental Music and Dance
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to truly lose yourself in the music? To experience a form of self-hypnosis that actually works? Have you ever wondered what trance dancing really is or wanted to be able to do it repeatedly and consistently with success?
Within these pages awaits your chance to learn and perform exactly these things and much more. Ecstasia is a complete system for the transcendental arts of dance, instrumentation and chant. This book is your guide to understanding the often misunderstood fundamentals of the transcendental arts; a must-have for musicians, dancers, chanteurs, trance monitors and aficionados! There has never been a more thorough treatment of trance work from a practical perspective.
This book does not hold back. Will you? Are you ready to enhance your body mastery and descend into deeper realms of consciousness? If your answer is yes… Welcome to Ecstasia.
Within these pages awaits your chance to learn and perform exactly these things and much more. Ecstasia is a complete system for the transcendental arts of dance, instrumentation and chant. This book is your guide to understanding the often misunderstood fundamentals of the transcendental arts; a must-have for musicians, dancers, chanteurs, trance monitors and aficionados! There has never been a more thorough treatment of trance work from a practical perspective.
This book does not hold back. Will you? Are you ready to enhance your body mastery and descend into deeper realms of consciousness? If your answer is yes… Welcome to Ecstasia.
Anglo-Saxon Heathenry Books:
Germanic Magic: A Basic Primer on Galdor, Runes, and Spá
There were many forms of magic practiced by the ancient Germanic Heathens over a wide period of time. The most commonly seen though are galdor, magic charms that are sung or spoken; rune magic, or the use of the magical symbols known as runes; spá or divination; seiðr, an art that seems to have been used to control spirits and the human soul, and finally a variety of other magical practices not readily identified.
Germanic Magic, by Swain Wodening, attempts a reconstruction of the ancient Germanic magic systems using what we know from Dark Ages Germanic texts, Roman accounts, later Medieval tales, and modern magical practices. It explores basic concepts vital to the use of Germanic magic; such as Wyrd, the soul, and how runic divination works as well as information on mound sitting, faring forth, and shape shifting.
Germanic Magic, by Swain Wodening, attempts a reconstruction of the ancient Germanic magic systems using what we know from Dark Ages Germanic texts, Roman accounts, later Medieval tales, and modern magical practices. It explores basic concepts vital to the use of Germanic magic; such as Wyrd, the soul, and how runic divination works as well as information on mound sitting, faring forth, and shape shifting.
Hammer of the Gods: Anglo-Saxon Paganism in Modern Times
Using scholarship and personal spiritual experiences, Swain Wodening explores modern Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, a religion closely related to Asatru. With practical information on Wyrd, Heathen virtues, deities, Hammer of the Gods strives to revive the spirit of Anglo-Saxon Heathenry. Additional topics covered include the Anglo-Saxon runes and seiðr, as well as rites for births, namings, marriages, funerals, land takings, and worshipping the Gods. Because of the scarcity of information about the ancient religion of the ancestors of the English people, this book also draws heavily on the mythology and religious lore of the related Scandinavian tribes, which was better preserved. It is therefore suited for practitioners of Asatru as well.
Anglo-Saxon Poetry (Everyman's Library)
This anthology of translations covers most of the poetry surviving in the four major codices and in various other manuscripts. Here, Germanic poetic style and English lore combine with the religious philosophy, learning and imagery of Mediterranean Christianity to produce a vernacular literature outstanding in the early Middle Ages for its sophisticated exploration of the human condition.
Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore and Healing
A comprehensive and detailed examination of every aspect of the early English approach to illness and healing, including a full list of the plants used and the properties they contain. Other themes include witchcraft, magic and paganism and appendices present healing theories, amulets, causes of disease, charms, dreams, omens and tree-lore. Three key Old English texts are reproduced in full, accompanied by new translations: Bald's Third Leechbook, the Lacnunga Manuscript, and 'The Old English Herbarium' Manuscript 5. This book, by Stephen Pollington, is a fascinating work of reference, packed full of information and interesting details.
Gods and Myths of Northern Europe
This title surveys the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scandinavian and Germanic people. It provides an introduction to this subject, giving basic outlines to the sagas and stories, and helps identify the character traits of not only the well known but also the lesser gods of the age.
General and Other Pagan/Occult Books
The Flowering Rod: Men and Their Role in Paganism
Is Paganism a women’s religion? What is the role of men in Paganism and Wicca? Priest, summoner, student, teacher, how can men fulfil these roles and worship the Pagan God by themselves, in groups of men, and in groups of men, women and children? The Flowering Rod explores these questions, looking at the earliest Pagan beliefs in the Antlered God and the Father Sky-God, at the men who worshipped the Lord of the forest in Britain and the Goat Footed God of Greece, and at the role of Priest and teacher in today’s Pagan Circles.
The Flowering Rod traces the history of men’s involvement with Pagan religions, from the dim past to the Pagan men of today. The book explores the God worshipped by modern Pagans, and the role of men in Wicca and other Pagan practices. Included are rituals that can be done by circles of men or by groups of men and women. The flowering Rod is an excellent book for men who are searching for a masculine identity in Paganism and for women who wish to understand the Pagan God and the role of men in their religion.
The Flowering Rod traces the history of men’s involvement with Pagan religions, from the dim past to the Pagan men of today. The book explores the God worshipped by modern Pagans, and the role of men in Wicca and other Pagan practices. Included are rituals that can be done by circles of men or by groups of men and women. The flowering Rod is an excellent book for men who are searching for a masculine identity in Paganism and for women who wish to understand the Pagan God and the role of men in their religion.
Kink Magic: Sex Magic Beyond Vanilla
This book presents techniques for everything from casting sigils, to confronting--and banishing--your inner demons, to taking your sexy roleplay and turning it into powerful invocation rituals. Rather than dogmatically elaborating on the "right" way to do it, Taylor and Lupa give you ideas to apply to your own kink and magical practices, regardless of your sexual orientation or relationship status. Whether you’re top or bottom, dominant or submissive, or even the most flexible switch, you’ll find plenty here to take your practice deeper and farther than ever before.
Ecstatic Ritual: Practical Sex Magick
From ancient temple dwellers to modern urban residents, priests, poets and people from all walks of life have looked to sexuality to aid them in connecting with the Divine.
In a subject previously obscured by foreign terms and deliberate 'blinds' for the uninitiated, Ecstatic Ritual offers the reader clear, concise exercises and ritual forms which comprise a full understanding of sacred and magical sexuality. Heterosexual, gay and lesbian magicians, in couples or singly, explore a magical system which methodically explains the worship of and union with the Divine in each person.This updated second edition includes expanded material, a new introduction by the author, an annotated bibliography and an index.
In a subject previously obscured by foreign terms and deliberate 'blinds' for the uninitiated, Ecstatic Ritual offers the reader clear, concise exercises and ritual forms which comprise a full understanding of sacred and magical sexuality. Heterosexual, gay and lesbian magicians, in couples or singly, explore a magical system which methodically explains the worship of and union with the Divine in each person.This updated second edition includes expanded material, a new introduction by the author, an annotated bibliography and an index.
Dancing God: Poetry of Myths and Magicks
This collection of poems spans the ages from the timeless sagas of the ancient gods to the modern commuter train - it spans the human heart from the beginnings of love to the depths of grief. Diotima, author of "Refuge: Tales of Myth and Magick," and "Banish with Laughter: Essays of Myth and Magick," opens her notebooks to share her poetic musings, her songs of triumph and despair, her life and loves.
The Phillupic Hymns
The Phillupic Hymns is a collection of poetry, prose, and translations devoted to the gods and goddesses of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and ancient Celtic Gaul and Britain. Its themes are diverse, from theology to narrative to ritual rubric; sex to syncretism to star-lore; prayers to praise-hymns to holy-days; divinity to death to...dogs!
Talking About the Elephant: Anthology Of Neopagan Perspectives on Cultural Appropriation
Modern pagans draw from a variety of cultural wells, both historical and contemporary. All too often the effects of this tendency to borrow are ignored in lieu of "spiritual development". What happens when plastic shamans and wannabe Celts are accused of distributing inaccurate information, deliberately misleading others, and evenengaging in spiritual and cultural genocide? Often, the response is only an uncomfortable silence.
Talking About the Elephant is an attempt to shatter that stillness and to promote constructive communication about the issues surrounding cultural appropriation in neopaganism. The nineteen essays approach such practices and faiths as Celtic reconstructionism, neoshamanism, and ritual magic; and explore and critique topics ranging from academic appropriation of pagan and occult practices, to intra-community intimidation, and potential solutions to the problem of appropriation.Featuring essays by Elizabeth Barrette, Aliyah Benjamin, Phillip Bernhardt-House, Veronica Cummer, Diotima, Taylor Ellwood, Thea Faye, Kenaz Filan, Frater Barrabbas, Sean Green, Erynn Rowan Laurie, Lelandra, Rhiannon Louve, Lupa, Jenne Micale, Larisa Pole and Vince Stevens.
Talking About the Elephant is an attempt to shatter that stillness and to promote constructive communication about the issues surrounding cultural appropriation in neopaganism. The nineteen essays approach such practices and faiths as Celtic reconstructionism, neoshamanism, and ritual magic; and explore and critique topics ranging from academic appropriation of pagan and occult practices, to intra-community intimidation, and potential solutions to the problem of appropriation.Featuring essays by Elizabeth Barrette, Aliyah Benjamin, Phillip Bernhardt-House, Veronica Cummer, Diotima, Taylor Ellwood, Thea Faye, Kenaz Filan, Frater Barrabbas, Sean Green, Erynn Rowan Laurie, Lelandra, Rhiannon Louve, Lupa, Jenne Micale, Larisa Pole and Vince Stevens.
Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom
Stemming from years of experience and a Celtic Reconstructionist background, Erynn writes with authority and impeccable scholarship. However, this is no dry, boring read. Her writing style invites the reader to join her as she explains the history of ogam (including some of the misconceptions and mistakes commonly found in modern sources), introduces us to each one of the ogam and their origins, and offers ideas for divination layouts. There's plenty more to the magic of ogam than divination, though, and Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom makes it quite clear that if you thought you knew everything about ogam--you're in for a big surprise!
Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone: A Primal Guide to Animal Magic
Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone: A Primal Guide to Animal Magic is Lupa's first published book--but certainly not her last! It is the result of nearly a decade of intense study and practice of animal magics of all sorts. Lupa has also included a guest essay from friend and fellow practitioner, Nicholas Graham, and the artwork is by the incredibly talented Jim Towns.
This isn't your average book on the topic, though. Lupa wanted to provide the working magician, regardless of background, with a guidebook to incorporating animal magic into hir practice. This includes everyone from Chaos magicians to totemists to Wiccans, witches and pagans and so on. She wrote it primarily from the viewpoint of an experimental magician, so it tends to be quite straightforward and matter-of-fact. It's certainly not a boring trip, mind you--amid the information she's scattered some of my best anecdotes from her years of practice.
And controversy--oh, there'll be room for controversy! Not only does Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone delve into the usual realms of totemism and familiars, creating animal-based entities and shapeshifting, but also the use of animal parts in magic and a (highly disclaimered) chapter on animal sacrifice. Look for other odds and ends like cryptozoology, pop culture influences, and therianthropy, among much more! Fang and Fur, Bood and Bone fills in the blanks in the realm of animal magic! (Not recommended for domesticated magicians.)
This isn't your average book on the topic, though. Lupa wanted to provide the working magician, regardless of background, with a guidebook to incorporating animal magic into hir practice. This includes everyone from Chaos magicians to totemists to Wiccans, witches and pagans and so on. She wrote it primarily from the viewpoint of an experimental magician, so it tends to be quite straightforward and matter-of-fact. It's certainly not a boring trip, mind you--amid the information she's scattered some of my best anecdotes from her years of practice.
And controversy--oh, there'll be room for controversy! Not only does Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone delve into the usual realms of totemism and familiars, creating animal-based entities and shapeshifting, but also the use of animal parts in magic and a (highly disclaimered) chapter on animal sacrifice. Look for other odds and ends like cryptozoology, pop culture influences, and therianthropy, among much more! Fang and Fur, Bood and Bone fills in the blanks in the realm of animal magic! (Not recommended for domesticated magicians.)